New library provides historical information

  • Published
  • By Gina Randall
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Recently Col. Daniel Merry, 100th Mission Support Group commander, asked if Mark Howell, 100th Air Refueling Wing historian from Odessa, Texas, would like to start a historical library.

Howell jumped at the chance for Airmen to have a place in the headquarters building where they could go and learn about their heritage.

The library is located in Bldg. 239, room 119, and houses a number of resources.

"It's my hope the library will provide an intellectual sanctuary and resources for study to our 100th ARW Airmen and civilian population. It offers reliable historical sources for our active duty and even civilian students, a more intimate knowledge of the 100th ARW and RAF Mildenhall heritage, the continued study of leadership principles, and supplemental reading in the modern concepts of airpower vital to the Air Force, no matter their generation," Howell said.

With limited financial resources available in the Department of Defense, Merry and Howell decided to pool their book resources to create the library.

Like Howell, Merry sees the importance of reminding people about those that served before them.

"It helps continue the lineage from our base and the Bloody Hundredth, other units and individuals, who paid dearly for our freedoms and for a free and generally cohesive Europe. This is our history - these are our wingmen," Merry said.

They hope many people will make use of the new facility and anyone is welcome.

"Anyone interested in learning more about airpower and its role in winning wars can use it. Young officers who are preparing for professional military education can gain valuable insights by engaging the books and subsequent discussions with more senior leaders," Merry said.


"We wanted a library that focuses on the Air Force in past conflicts, the evolution of air power, military leadership, military history, 100th Bombardment Group history, and historical references in general," Howell said.

Team Mildenhall can also contribute to the library by donating their academic books.

"Hopefully, when people complete a permanent change of station they will decide to contribute worthwhile books they have accumulated, and it will grow. I would like to see it become a resource for the entire base population. I don't see it as a replacement for the base library, but rather a more specialized and focused historical annex," Howell said.